Retreats - News and Information

Retreat Programme - Day Events - Individual Retreats - Group Retreats - Icon Workshops

Coronavirus Update

Our guesthouse, Hedley Lodge will remain closed for the time being.


Hospitality is an important ministry for us at Belmont so we are sorry not to be able to welcome you here at this time.


Meanwhile, we hope you can benefit from our online retreats - please sign up for our email to be sure of hearing about them, as they will be planned at shorter notice than is usual.


We will leave the current information online as indication as to what happens in normal times.


Overview

Every year the Belmont Community welcomes individuals and groups to the Abbey for retreats, day and residential. We offer different types of retreats to suit different needs.

All our retreats take their rhythm from the Divine Office sung in the Abbey Church. Guests have time for private prayer and rest and to enjoy the peace and beauty of the Herefordshire countryside. Hedley Lodge is the Abbey Guesthouse which offers modern, comfortable accommodation. Guests are invited to enjoy the peace of the monastery gardens.  Guests of all denominations and none are welcome to stay.

  • Organised Retreats & Icon Workshops

    Those wishing to grow in their spiritual lives and reflect on the Christian faith might benefit from an organised retreat or day event. With input from one of the monks or a guest speaker, it gives the opportunity to reflecting on Scriptures and tradition and see how, monastic wisdom or art can enhance our spiritual lives. 


    Each year the Retreat Director organises a series of retreats on a variety of themes, mixing established favourites with some new things. All of these are open to residents and non-residents, any meals and accommodation being in Hedley Lodge. 


    Weekend retreats normally begin with: 5.55pm Vespers on Friday and conclude with 1pm lunch on Sunday. Weekday retreats vary, but often start at 4.00pm. Icon Workshops begin late morning of the first day, and end after lunch on the final day.

  • Day Events

    The Belmont retreat team also runs a series of day retreats and days of prayer and recollection, including the popular Lent Wednesdays and Advent day and day of prayer and reflection for Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion. These generally run from 10.00am to 4.00pm, but see the individual day for details.  

  • Private Retreats for Individuals

    Individuals are welcome to stay at the Abbey's Guesthouse, Hedley Lodge, to make a private retreat. Guests are invited to share in the round of monastic prayer in the Abbey Church and are invited to the guest seating area in the East End of the Church where books are available. The church can also be used in the day for private prayer.


    Our retreat guests are very welcome to enjoy the tranquility of the monastery gardens and there are nice local walks through the fields around the monastery.


    Although we are not normally able to offer individually guided retreats, by arrangement it is possible to speak with a monk for spiritual guidance or the sacrament of reconciliation.


    Please apply directly to Hedley Lodge for booking and further information. On arrival please let the staff know that you are at Belmont for a retreat and they will be able to provide you with useful information.


Monastic Retreats

Single accommodation is available for men within the enclosure of the monastery and meals are taken in the refectory with the Community. Guests are warmly invited to join with the Community in the celebration of the Divine Office and Mass and to respect and share the general silence of the Monastery. 

For more information please contact Dom Patrick Lobo. the Monastery Guestmaster.

Enquire about a Monastic Retreat

Group Retreats

We also can arrange group retreats, especially suitable for parish groups and diocesan groups. 

Either bring your own retreat leader or we can propose talks and reflections by one of our monks to reflect your interests. Themes might include Scripture, prayer, lectio divina, living the Christian faith or the inspiration of the Benedictine and monastic tradition. Popular weekends are those on Julian of Norwich, the Desert Fathers or art retreats such as Vincent Van Gogh.  

Normally group retreats are offered for a minimum of 15 people.
Enquire about Group Retreats